New Faces, New Vibes Help Texas Earn Season Sweep of Gulls, 4-2

(Credit: San Diego Gulls)

Featuring a handful of new additions to the lineup, the Texas Stars came back from down 2-1 this evening to defeat the Gulls in San Diego by a 4-2 final. After dropped three straight in the road trip, they collected a full two points and earned a season sweep of the Gulls.

Fully two weeks after the trade deadline deal that sent him to Texas, Emilio Pettersen made his Stars debut wearing #17. Pettersen, who was traded from Calgary, was kept out of the lineup (and the country) by immigration holdups. He arrived last night and joined the team today. Amatuer tryout signees Justin Hryckowian and Luke Krys also made their debuts. Hryckowian earned his first pro point with a second assist on the game's opening goal.

Pettersen immediately joined the top line and the power play unit. Hryckowian joined the second power play unit, which is where the first goal was generated. Christian Kyrou, who had two goals the last time these teams met, ripped one from the point through traffic for the 1-0 lead.

The power play went the other way for Texas coming up on a controversial play. Andrew Agozzino found twine, but the goal line official immediately waved the goal off for what appeared to be goalie interference. Agozzino bumped into Remi Poirier and prevented him from making his way to the left to make the save. After a conference, the Gulls got the goal, and it was 1-1.

The second period saw one goal each way as well. Kyrou had a neutral zone turnover come back in a 3-on-1 for the Gulls that gave them the 2-1 lead early. The power play gave back again for Texas though as Fredrik Karlström decided he'd be a baseball player this evening. He tapped the puck out of the air on a rebound and made it a 2-2 game at the net.

The third period was all Mavrik Bourque on the scoresheet as the AHL's leading scorer extended his lead on the rest of the league. On a 2-on-2 rush with Pettersen, Bourque went all shot through the five hole to regain the lead for the first time since the opening period, a 3-2 scoreline that would make for a huge final 3:30 of regulation.

San Diego pulled Suchanek with 89 seconds left and got some pressure but not enough as Jack Becker dished to Bourque for the empty netter, his 25th goal of the season.

Texas heads back to Coachella Valley to end their road trip with their final contest against the Firebirds.

Injuries, scratches and notes
Stankoven (callup)
Berard, White, Rassell (scratch)
Bayreuther (suspension)
Stranges (injury, day-to-day)
Bäck (injury, week-to-week)
Reedy (out for the season - upper body)

Tonight's attendance was 6,839.

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at San Diego - March 22 2024